| 1851 | Southampton`s Tidal (Inner) Dock is opened
Gold is found in Australia. Southampton becomes the centre for
emigrant traffic to the continent.
Southampton`s population is 34,000 |
| 1852 | The first voyage of Great Britain to
Australia |
| 1854-56 | The Crimean War. Many British troops depart from
Southampton |
| 1858 | The East India Company is dissolved following the Indian
mutiny |
| 1859 | Shipbuilding ends at Southampton`s Chapel wharves. They become
timber yards. |
| 1863 | London`s first Underground Railway opens |
| 1866 | The trans-Atlantic telegraph cable is first used |
| 1869 | Tea clipper Cutty Sark is launched |
| 1870 | Britain now owns 43% of world`s merchant steam tonnage |
| 1875 | Britain takes a 42% share in the newly-built Suez Canal in
Egypt |
| 1876 | Southampton`s Itchen Quays are opened. They had been built on
mudland reclaimed from Southampton Water
The load (Plimsoll) line is established for the safe loading of
ships |
